At the beginning of September, 144 Leisure Travel Vans gathered in Winkler, Manitoba, for the annual LTV Fall Rally at Winkler Bible Camp. Didn’t get a chance to attend? Be sure to stay tuned for the 2025 waitlist announcement. Until then, enjoy a recap of each day of the Rally.
Day 1 – Wednesday
The beginning of the Rally is a whirlwind. Each LTV is provided with a designated arrival time. That timeslot gives each parking zone the correct time and space to be filled up. From there, Rally participants made their way to the Crossview Hall for registration, where they were given a bag filled with LTV dishware, a sauce from Gourmet Inspirations, cider from Dead Horse Cider, and ground coffee from Other Brother Roasters. All of these items are local to Winkler and are just one small way we say “welcome to Winkler.”
When the time came, we all gathered together for a delicious dinner of burgers and french fries, and then guests were invited into the chapel for opening ceremonies. MC Phillip Vallelly provided guidance for the week, explaining how factory tours would work, seminars, and why Mondays matter to People and Culture.
To wrap up the opening ceremonies, the General Manager of Triple E–Ryan Elias took the stage, welcomed guests to Manitoba, and shared a few stories and reflections from the past year.
After the opening ceremonies concluded, attendees were invited over to the beach to mingle and enjoy a bonfire and donuts from a local bakery called Valley Bakery. The beach mingle is always a wonderful opportunity for Rally attendees to establish friendships, share stories, and learn more about the people around them during the week. After a busy day, it was time to say goodnight and prepare for another busy day tomorrow.
Day 2 – Thursday
After mingling the night away, 8:00 am rolled around fast, and with that came a tasty breakfast. We were all grateful for the coffee flowing endlessly throughout the day and the following conversations.
From breakfast, the choice of an LTV factory tour or enjoying a morning of seminars from LTV, Truma, Mercedes Benz, and Ford. Because this was the biggest rally to date, seminars filled quickly, and so did the factory tours. So attendees had to be quick on their feet with a decision.
Later in the day, it was time for the tradition of the group photo and a soup and sandwich lunch. Meal time was a time for LTV staff to get to know Rally attendees just a little bit better and enjoy each other’s company.
After we were filled with soup and sandwiches, the next factory tour left, and it was time for another LTV technical seminar, a Mercedes seminar, and an Equalizer Systems seminar. While seminars and tours kept the afternoon busy, LTV staff were working hard behind the scenes, filming clips of the week, posting on social media, capturing photos, and making sure the next events would go off without a hitch.
Once everyone was back from their afternoon excursions, the LTV pop-up shop opened. All kinds of LTV merch were for sale, and owners were excited to purchase hats, blankets, sweaters, and t-shirts. From the pop-up shop, we transitioned into dinner.
For a second time, the LTV cook-off competition gave Rally attendees a chance to apply to be a sous chef with some LTV staff and provide an ingredient of their choosing to make a dish. This year’s challenge was creating a sandwich. Camp activities also took place during this time. These activities included ziplining, archery, and kayaking.
To close off another evening, we all enjoyed another beach bonfire and s’mores.
Day 3 – Friday
It was hard to believe that this was our last and final full day together at the 2024 LTV Fall Rally. Everyone gathered for breakfast together at 8:00 am and then headed out for another morning of activities, which included Yoga with Become Yoga, another factory tour, a coffee seminar with Other Brother Roasters, and a camp barnyard tour. Yoga was a new activity this year and brought out many participants.
The time seemed to tick away faster than anyone expected, and it was, yet again, time for another meal. For lunch, we gathered and enjoyed taco salad in tortilla bowls.
After lunch, the final factory tour group left, and a cooking demo by Other Brother Roasters, began. Peter Fehr, Gourmet Inspirations’ founder, cooked steak bites with his creamy peppercorn sauce, dips for vegetables and desserts, and cold brew coffee mixed with his syrups. Those in attendance were thrilled to sample his creations and later, purchase items used in the recipes.
Another new activity this year was a bike ride led by Marketing Lead Josiah Wiebe. This bike ride finished at Dead Horse Cider. The other form of transportation was hopping on the shuttle bus to the cidery. Here, attendees got to sample Dead Horse Cider and tour this local facility.
Once everyone was back from their cidery and factory tours, LTV open spaces began. This was a chance for owners to open up their coach and show how they use their LTV and some of the great and unique features they have inside.
To conclude a busy and fun-filled day, the LTV pop-up shop opened for one final time, and we enjoyed a dinner of steak kebabs. After dinner, those interested could enjoy freshly brewed coffee from Other Brother Roasters and then make their way over to the chape for entertainment from Big City All Star Band. This group got everyone tapping their feet and even took song requests from the crowd. When the entertainment had concluded, there was final time to enjoy a bonfire together. This was also the time to bid farewell to most LTV staff as their time with Rally goers was ending.
Day 4 – Saturday
This was the last day and the one no one wanted to come so quickly. Breakfast was served, and a few LTV staff attended to say goodbye. By 12:00 pm, all LTVs and their owners were gone, and what was left was an empty camp with full hearts.
Thank you to every Leisure Travel Van owner who attended this year’s Rally. This was the biggest Rally in Winkler, Manitoba, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring.
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